Austrian Philharmonics

Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coins

Gold bullion coin investors looking to buy .9999 fine (99.99% pure) gold coins should consider the 1-oz Austrian Philharmonics, sometimes called Vienna Philharmonics. They are among the most beautiful gold bullion coins minted. Other popular .9999 fine gold coins are the Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coins.

Struck by the Austrian Mint, in the mid-1990s Philharmonics were among the best selling gold bullion coins in the world. However, Austrian Mint Philharmonics never gained popularity in the U.S. Still, they are excellent choices for investors who prefer pure 24 karat gold coins, as opposed to the U.S. Mint's American Gold Eagles and the South African Krugerrand, both of which are 22 karat (91.67% pure).

Austrian Mint Philharmonics:

Two Markets

Philharmonic gold coins trade much like Krugerrands; there is a primary market through which new, current year coins are distributed and a secondary market where previously-owned coins trade. Investors who buy new Philharmonics can expect to pay about the same premium as they would pay if they were buying new Krugerrands or new Gold Eagles.

However, in the secondary market gold Vienna Philharmonics carry premiums comparable to secondary market Krugerrands. Like Krugerrands, secondary market gold Philharmonic coins usually can be bought at lower premiums than new Philharmonics.

With Philharmonics trading only sporadically in the secondary market, large orders usually have to be filled from the primary market, which means prices comparable to new Gold Eagles. When Philharmonics carry the same premium as Gold Eagles, we recommend Gold Eagles because they are more popular coins and enjoy a better secondary market. Yet for investors who want 24karat gold coins, the Philharmonics are excellent choices.

Philharmonic design

The obverse depicts the great organ in the Golden Hall in Vienna's Musikverein Concert Hall, the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Also stamped on the obverse on the current year coin is the face value 100 Euros, the year of mintage, the purity (.9999 fine) and the weight (1 unze, or ounce). Older Vienna Philharmonics carry a face value of 2000 Schillings. The reverse of the gold Philharmonic coins has an array of musical instruments, keeping with the theme of the coin.

One-ounce Philharmonics are larger in diameter than standard 22-karat gold bullion coins, 37 mm as compared to 32.7 mm for Gold Eagles and Krugerrands. Philharmonics have a thickness of 2 mm, versus 2.83 mm for Gold Eagles and Krugerrands.

From the Austrian Mint, Philharmonics are packaged ten coins to a tube. The tubes are a rigid plastic and are sealed with a blue snap-on lid. Secondary market Philharmonics often are still in the original tubes, but occasionally they are put in secondary market containers.

If you would like to discuss buying Philharmonics or would like to discuss any aspect of investing in gold, call us. We take calls 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST, Mondays through Fridays. For more information about buying gold, visit our Doing Business with CMIGS page.